Box Score UW-Whitewater used a 17-0 surge early in the first half on the way to a 58-42 win over the University of Dubuque in Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater Saturday in a NCAA Division III Championship Tournament game.  UW-W, 24-4, advances to second round play Saturday, March 9.  UW-W will face North Central College, 25-3, Saturday March 9 at a site to be determined.

photo gallery (courtesy of Crystal Meyer, available for purchase)

The 42 points is the second lowest output by a Warhawk opponent this season, trailing only the 38 scored by Saint Norbert in a 63-38 loss to UW-W February 12 in Whitewater.

Both teams endured long scoring droughts in the first half.  Fortunately for UW-Whitewater, the Warhawks outscored Dubuque 17-0 after the Spartans scored the first basket of the game.  Guard Quardell Young (Kenosha/Bradford)'s three pointer at 12:24 made it 17-3 Whitewater.  Dubuque ended its dry spell, which lasted 7:28, finally raising their point total to 5.  Despite its own scoring problems, which lasted from 5:46 to 1:04, UW-W went into the lockerroom with a 29-18 lead.

Whitewater shot 48% from the field, Dubuque 32%.  Neither team made any headway at the line, Whitewater going 2-6 and Dubuque 0-3.  Young and backcourt mate Alex Merg (Greendale/Greendale) led UW-W with seven first half points, apiece.  Senior forward Jordan Townsend led Dubuque with five points in the half.

Dubuque climbed under double figures on a layup by Lucas Ware at 14:57, with UW-W leading 34-26.  The Spartans whittled away some more, pulling within 39-33 at 11:18 on jumper by freshman guard Andre Norris.  UD was still within seven, 43-36 at 6:54, and 45-38 at 5:29.  With 5:09 on the clock Eric Bryson (Elkhorn/Elkhorn) hit a three to push the Warhawk lead back to ten, 48-38, and Darnell Harris (Milwaukee/Hamilton) blunted a comeback attempt with a three with 4:17 left, giving UW-W a 51-38 lead.  The final score was the largest margin of the game.

Whitewater wound up shooting 49% from the field, Dubuque 34%.  UW-W's mark includes 9-14 from three point range, where Dubuque went 4-18.  The teams combined for 14 free throw attempts, making five, both lows in a UW-W game this season.

Young led UW-Whitewater with 14 points, followed by Bryson's 13.  Young also dished out a game high four assists, Bryson took game honors with nine rebounds, and senior center Luke Knoble (Boscobel/Boscobel) led both teams with three steals.  Frazier and Norris scored ten apiece for the Spartans.

UW-Whitewater will continue play Saturday.  The University of Dubuque ends the year 22-7.

TF/dw